leaf springs

AllKiller · Post by **AllKiller** » Tue Nov 14, 06 12:13 am

There was s revue on Mono's and Caltracs in Mopar Muscle quite a few months ago, looked like a load of money and messing for 2-3/10 ths in the 1/4, but hey

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Tue Nov 14, 06 7:55 am

I would be happy if I could pick up 3/10ths by just bolting something on.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Tue Nov 14, 06 8:48 am

I know Tigg was struggling to run even his normal times after he fitted Caltracs. I think he got on top of it eventually.

AllKiller · Post by **AllKiller** » Tue Nov 14, 06 9:49 am

They are very fiddley to set up even the Cal trac man in the mag was making excuses for why they werent up to the mark that day, if i remember.

Pete surely you consider cost against the gain, you could bang on a 250 h.p. nitrous system and pick up much more than 3 1/10ths, for the same price ??

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Tue Nov 14, 06 12:31 pm

This is obviously a thick question but whats a Caltrack ?

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Tue Nov 14, 06 12:39 pm

Mad Mas wrote:This is obviously a thick question but whats a Caltrack ?

Easier if you Google it mate.

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Tue Nov 14, 06 1:34 pm

Traction system, Mas.

http://www.calvertracing.com/info/info.htm

Blue · Post by **Blue** » Tue Nov 14, 06 5:05 pm

Yes Simon I will do an article, I believe if you are going to try and run fast on cart springs they are the way forward. I am fitting a used set that I got dirt cheap a couple of years ago, but as regards being a bolt on mod, it's not turning out that way, I'll say more when I get past the head scratching and swearing stage....

I'm sure I'll be talking to Tig and Cliff Turner for some tuning tips when I get it up and running.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed Nov 15, 06 12:24 pm

Thanks for the link Dave, I see the logic behind caltracks and coming to think of it I've seen something similar for sale for Camaros for about £200 quid. But I've never seen em for Mopar stuff, are they expensive ?

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed Nov 15, 06 2:05 pm

Caltracs are £274.00

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Wed Nov 15, 06 2:08 pm

Unless you are trying to run low 11s and faster you don't need anything other than well made leaf springs and a pinion snubber. Unless you are prepared to spend a lot of time and money for a few fractions of a second. Then Caltracs might be worth it.

The split mono leaf spring is interesting. Since this thread started i have changed my mind about them several times.

They might be worth a try. Of course if your existing springs are knackered they will feel fantastic when fitted. But more fantastic than good leaf springs? I dunno.

I remember how mono leaf springs on older cars used to unduce wheel hop not only on acceleration (see the Mustang in that famous chase with the Charger) but on hard braking (not on the mustang that I know of) the axle can start leaping about.

Now I am sure these old mono leaf springs were one single leaf. Not two overlapping as in these new springs. Also on MoPars the front section of the spring is very short and stiff which controls wheel hop. The rear section is longer and thinner to give a better ride. Something the other makes didn't consider.
These new springs imitate that. Which is why they are made in two sections. Thick at the front and thinner at the rear.

My guess is that they work no better than something like a super stock spring. But with the advantage of being lighter. Which has benifits both in the total weight of the car (hello Blue) and in handling (reduced unsprung weight).

If indeed they are the same price as replacement leaf springs then I think they will be worth a go. However I wonder if, over time, they might be more prone to sagging with age than a multi leaf spring? Or less prone? I can't work it out.

One more point. By far the cheapest option with leaf springs is to get them re-tempered. It will cost you half as much.

AllKiller · Post by **AllKiller** » Wed Nov 15, 06 2:54 pm

The split mono leafs need the Cal Tracs too as far as i can see.
dont think they work alone do they ??
Dick Landy ran all his cars on S/S springs and some of those were in the low 10sec high 9 sec bracket.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed Nov 15, 06 3:07 pm

monos don't need to be fitted with Caltracs, ally bush in the front for use with caltracs, rubber for without

wonder where Dick Landys SS springs were made? and when? and what material

My guess is not where the SS springs are made today and not out of rusted out toyotos